BLM to burn slash piles in Grand and Jackson counties

KREMMLING – As early as Monday the Bureau of Land Management could begin burning slash piles created from fuel reduction and hazard tree removal projects near the Gore Lakes Subdivision northwest of Kremmling and on Independence Mountain northwest of Walden.

Smoke and flames will be visible from the burning piles. Burning could

begin as early as Monday, Nov. 1, and continue into the spring of 2011.

Burning will be conducted on days when weather conditions are favorable for lifting smoke out of the area and moisture in adjacent vegetation is at acceptable levels to prevent spread. Ignition on these days will begin at 10 a.m.

The objective of burning the slash piles is to remove the flammable debris and lower the risk of catastrophic wildland fire. The slash piles are the result of fuel reduction projects and hazard tree removal along BLM and county roads.

The slash piles near the Gore Lake Subdivision are approximately 12 miles northwest of Kremmling along Highway 134. The Independence Mountain slash piles are approximately 10 miles northwest of Walden, six miles west of Colorado State Highway 125, and two miles north of Jackson County Road 6W.

Burn plans for these projects have been prepared and approved. These plans specify the desired weather and wind conditions, as well as other guidelines for safe and efficient operations. Colorado State Air Pollution Division smoke permits have also been obtained.

Please contact Michael St. Martin at 970-724-3033 for more information.